EU tells TikTok to change its For You feed over the "rabbit hole" effect
The European Commission issued preliminary findings Friday that TikTok breaches the Digital Services Act through the "rabbit hole effect" of its For You feed, which it says keeps recommending similar videos and can expose children and vulnerable users to harmful content about sadness, isolation or body image. The Commission says TikTok must change the feed's design and that its current safeguards are not effective. If the findings are confirmed, TikTok could be fined up to 6% of its total worldwide annual turnover. TikTok called the findings "fundamentally inaccurate."
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Why it matters
The case is about how TikTok's For You feed picks videos, and regulators say it can steer children and vulnerable users toward content about sadness, isolation or body image. TikTok can review the files and respond in writing before any final decision.
How each side sees it
Sources
- Euronews (with AFP): EU tells TikTok to change 'harmful' For You feed
- RTÉ: 'Rabbit hole' TikTok feeds violate digital rules, says EU
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